Packing apparatus



July 22, 1969 METTLER, JR 3,456,418

PACKING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 21 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Iii I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. J. METTLER, JR

July 22, 1969 PACKING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 21, 1965 July 22, 1969 A. J. METTLER, JR

PACKING vAPPARA'IUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed OCL. 21, 1965 United States Patent 3,456,418 PACKING APPARATUS Albert J. Mettler, Jr., Honolulu, Hawaii, assignor to Libby, McNeil] & Libby, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Maine Filed Oct. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 499,263 Int. Cl. B65b 35/30 U.S. Cl. 53-26 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and apparatus for feeding a procession of items to a measuring position, separating a predetermined measured quantity of items into a group, moving the measured group of items to a package filling position, and inserting the group of items into a package.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for packaging solid items, or substantially solid items, into containers, and has particular reference to an improved method and apparatus for packaging pineapple slices.

In a pineapple cannery, the packaging of pineapple slices has been in the past almost entirely by hand. Not only is the cost of the canning operation increased by the extensive labor force required, but the work is tedious. Although several methods and apparatuses have been proposed for packaging pineapple, such as illustrated in the Taylor Patent No. 2,092,786 and Farmer Patent No. 3,136,103, these prior proposals have not been sufliciently consistent in their performance to justify their installation on a regular and continuous basis as a replacement of the labor force now employed. In the aforementioned Farmer patent, for instance, the illustrated method and apparatus causes at times a disarray of the slices so that they are not packaged correctly. This has occurred in sufficient number of instances to preclude their adoption.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for automatically packaging solid comestibles into containers. It is another object of the invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for packaging solid comestibles which have suificiently consistent performance to prevent the disarray and dislocation of the items in a batch as they are packaged. It is yet another object of the invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for packaging solid items in batches, so as to require minimum attention. It is still another object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for loading a particular quantity of solid items into a container. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter in.

the detailed description, being particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and being illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a device embodying the present invention with portions broken away to more clearly illustrate the details of the construction;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG- URE 1 with certain parts omitted in order to illustrate the details of the construction;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view of the left end of the device shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 44 of FIGURE 1, illustrating the guide tube, but omitting other parts of the apparatus;

FIGURE 5 is a fragementary diagrammatic view of the device in FIGURE 1 partly broken away to illustrate the measuring operation; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of the device shown in FIGURE 1 partly broken away to illus- 3,456,418 Patented July 22, 1969 trate the loading operation by which a batch is inserted in a container.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a device for loading pineapple slices in cans as one embodiment of the invention. -It is understood, however, that the principles of the invention are applicable to the packaging of solid items for other uses.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown a supporting structure 10 for the packaging apparatus. The packaging apparatus has a feed belt 16 driven by an electrically powered motor 11 through reduction element 12. Pulley 13 on the reduction element 12 and pulley 15 on the packaging apparatus are connected by a chain 14 to continuously drive the feed belt 16.

The continuously driven feed belt 16 is designed to support pineapple slices upright on their edges and feed them end-wise to the packaging device. The feed belt may run to the packing device from an inspection and sorting position along the processing line (not shown).

Pulley 15 is connected to a drive roller 17 which supports one end of the feed belt 16. Suitable idler rollers 18 support the return flight of the belt. Suitable idler rollers 19 support the upper flight of belt 16.

Feed belt 16 discharges the pineapple slices in an upright position into a guide tube 20. Guide tube 20 is generally cyclindrical in shape, having a diameter slightly larger than the pineapple slices to be packaged. At the entrance to the guide tube 20 is an upper lip member 22 hinged at 23, and side lips 24, 25, for funneling the slices into an aligned position within the guide tube 20.

Sidewalls 21 may be mounted in advance of the guide tube 20 to hold the slices in upright position on the belt 16. The slices may be fed from the main processing and sorting line by feed conveyor 16 between the sidewalls 21 and then discharged into guide tube 20.

Guide tube 20 is broken away for a substantial portion at its bottom, as shown at 26, to accommodate the feed conveyor 16. Referring to FIGURE 4, there is illustrated a pineapple slice P conveyed in guide tube 20 on feed conveyor 16. The guide tube 20 has lower portion 26 removed so that the conveyor 16 may feed the pineapple slice. The conveyor 16 is supported beneath the cut-away portion 26 by a table 27.

Referring now to FIGURE 5; the pineapple slices P are discharged into the substantially cyclindrical end portion 28 of the guide tube 20. The guide tube 20 feeds the slices into a measuring device 30 for a batch PB of a predetermined quantity. The measuring device 30 is open ended and the slices come to rest against the stop 35 which is in the form of a wall extending vertically to a can filling structure. The measuring device 30 is of approximately the same diameter as the guide tube 20 and is of a longitudinal dimension approximating the longitudinal dimension of the batch to be packaged. The length of the measuring device 30 determines the number of slices which are contained in the batch PB and which are to be inserted in the can to be filled.

The measuring device 30 is supported on a shaft 33 of a pneumatic cylinder 32. At periodic intervals the pneumatic cylinder 32 is operated to extend the shaft 33, as

best shown in FIGURE 6, to a can filling position. Depending from the inner end of the measuring device 30 is a stop wall 34 which covers the end of guide tube 20 to prevent the pineapple slices P from being discharged from tube 20 while the measuring device 30 is being moved to the can filling position.

The can filling position is located by an opening 37 in the wall 35. An empty can 50 with its open end facing the opening 37 is held in position to be packaged with pineapple slices. Extending above the guide tube 20 is a stop wall 38 having an opening 39 at the can filling position. As the measuring device 30 is raised from the measuring position shown in FIGURE 5 to the can filling position shown in FIGURE 6, the pineapple/slices are held between walls 35 and 38. In the can filling position the batch PE is inserted into the empty can 50 by a plunger 40. The plunger 40 is mounted on a shaft 41 of a pneumatic cylinder 42. After the measuring device 30 is raised to the can filling position, the plunger 40 is extended through opening 39, the measuring device 30, and the opening 37 in the wall 35. The pineapple slices are thereby pushed as a batch from the measuring device 30 into the empty can 50.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, there is illustrated a can 50 in the filling position. Guide elements 54 channel the empty cans 51 to the filling position 50 and guide elements 55 guide the filled cans 52 from filling position. The cans are fed to and from the filling position 50 by gravity. The can 50 is held in filling position by a pair of magnets 57. After the can 50 has been filled, it is ejected from filling position by a pusher 63 mounted perpendicularly to the axis of the can. The pusher is mounted on a shaft 62 which is operated by pneumatic cylinder 61.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the reference character A indicates the axis of the guide tube 20. The axis A is at an acute angle of about 13 degrees with respect to horizontal. The axis of the measuring device 30 and the can 50 in filling position are at the same angle. Mounting these elements at an acute angle is somewhat critical. If the angle is too steep, the slices have a tendency to fall over forward before entering the can 50. If the angle is not steep enough, the slices tip backward when the plunger is retracted from the can 50. Broadly speaking, the angle can be within the range of from about to about 20 degrees, preferably from about 12 to 15 degrees, and most desirably at about 13 degrees. The exact limits of the acute angle will vary somewhat with the items that are packaged.

From the foregoing it is believed operation of the device is apparent. The feed belt 16 runs into the packaging device of the invention from an inspection and sorting station along the processing line. The pineapple slices are fed on their ends in an upright position into the guide tube 20 and then into the measuring device 30. The measuring device is of a size such as will contain a predetermined quantity of slices that will fill a can illustrated by the batch PB in FIGURE 5. After the measuring device 30 is filled, the pneumatic cylinder 32 is operated to lift the device 30 to the can filling position shown in FIGURE 6, at which the batch of slices PB is inserted in the empty can 50 by plunger operated by pneumatic cylinder 32. The plunger 40 traverses the can measuring device 30 to push the entire batch into the empty can 50. After the measured batch is inserted in can the plunger 40 is then withdrawn and the measuring device 30 is returned to the position illustrated in FIGURE 5. After the can 50 is filled the pneumatic cylinder 61 illustrated in FIGURE 3 is operated to kick the can 50 out of the can filling position and a new empty can 51 drops into position. This completes the cycle of operation.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and are not for the purposes of limitation. Changes in form and the proportion of parts as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a method for packaging a measured quantity of items, the steps which comprise,

feeding a procession of items on their edges to be packaged to a measuring position,

measuring a predetermined quantity of items as a group inclined at an acute angle,

supporting a package to be filled through one end with its axis substantially parallel to the axis of said measured group of items,

moving said measured group of items upwardly in a single plane from the measuring position to a package filling position, and

pushing the measured group of items into the package.

2. In an apparatus for packaging a measured quantity of items, the combination comprising,

feeding means for supplying a procession of items on their edges to be packaged, measuring means for receiving a predetermined quantity of the items,

means for supporting a package to be filled through one end with its axis spaced from the axis of said measuring means when the latter is in position communicating said feeding means and with its axis inclined at an acute angle for receiving a predetermined quantity of items, and

means for moving said measuring means upwardly in a single plane between a first position communicating with said feeding means to a second position in alignment with the package to be filled.

3. In an apparatus for packaging a measured quantity of items, the combination comprising,

feeding means for supplying a procession of items on their edges to be packaged,

measuring means having an open ended receptacle for receiving a predetermined quantity of items from said feeding means, means for supporting a package with its axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of said feeding means for receiving a predetermined quantity of items,

means for moving said measuring means between a first position communicating with said feeding means to a second position communicating with the package to be filled, and

means mounted above the axis of said feeding means for eliminating the contents of said measuring means in the second position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the package, feeding means and measuring means are positioned with their axes inclined at an angle in the range from about 10 to about 20 degrees.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the package, feeding means and measuring means are positioned with their axes inclined at an angle in the range from about 12 to about 15 degrees.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the package, feeding means and measuring means are positioned with their axes inclined at an angle of about 13 degrees.

7. In an apparatus for packaging a measured quantity of items, the combination comprising,

feeding means for supplying a procession of items on their edges to be packaged,

measuring means for receiving a predetermined quantity of items, said measuring means having an open ended receptacle positioned with its axis inclined at an acute angle for receiving the predetermined quantity of items,

means for supporting a package to be filled through one end with its axis normally spaced from and subtially parallel to the inclined axis of said measuring means,

means for moving said measuring means between a first position communicating with said feeding means to a second position in alignment with the package to be filled, and

pusher means for traversing at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of said measuring means in the second position to transfer the items from said measuring means to the package.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the package, feeding means and measuring means are positioned with 5 their axes inclined at an angle in the range from about 10 to about 20 degrees.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the package, feeding means and measuring means are positioned with their axes inclined at an angle in the range from about 12 to about 15 degrees.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the package, feeding means and measuring means are positioned with their axis inclined at an angle of about 13 degrees.

11. In an apparatus for packaging a measured quantity of items, the combination comprising,

feeding means for supplying a processsion of coaxial items on their edges to be packaged,

measuring means having an open ended receptacle positioned with its axis inclined at an acute angle for receiving a predetermined quantity of items to be packaged, means for supporting a package to be filled through one end with its axis substantially parallel to the inclined axis of said receptacle measuring means,

means for moving said measuring means between a first position for filling thereof in association with said feeding means and a second position for ejection of the items therefrom in association with the package to be filled,

means positioned for supporting the first items in said measuring means to prevent removal of the items therefrom in said first position,

means for supporting the items on said feeding means during the period in which said measuring means is removed from communication therewith, and

means for ejecting the contents of said measuring means in said second position.

12. In an apparatus for packaging a measured quantity of items, the combination comprising,

feeding means for supplying a procession of items on their edges to be packaged,

measuring means for receiving a predetermined plurality of items on their edges,

means for supporting a package to be filled through one end,

means for moving said measuring means between a first position communicating with said feeding means to a second position in alignment with the package to be filled, and

pusher means for traversing at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of said measuring means during the period of alignment with the package to be filled in said second position to transfer the items from said measuring means to the package.

13. In an apparatus for packaging a measured quantity of items, the combination comprising,

feeding means for supplying a procession of items on their edges to be packaged,

measuring means for receiving a predetermined quantity of items,

means for supporting a package to be filled through one end,

means for moving said measuring means in a straight line path between a first position communicating with said feeding means and a second position in alignment with the package to be filled, and

pusher means for traversing at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of said measuring means in said second position to transfer the titems from said measuring means to the package.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,808,676 6/1931 McDonald et al. 53 250 XR 2,092,773 9/1937 Nordquist et al. 53 252 XR 2,747,352 5/1956 Whitecar 53-25s XR 3,136,103 6/1964 Farmer 53 23 X FOREIGN PATENTS 715,178 9/1954 Great Britain.

TRAVIS S. McGEHEE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 59-159, 250 

